Is private school cheaper in Anchorage or Santa Rosa?

Anchorage has lower average private school tuition at $11,900/year vs $17,600/year in Santa Rosa. That's $5,700/year less, or $74,100 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Anchorage over Santa Rosa?

Average tuition in Anchorage is $5,700/year less than Santa Rosa. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $74,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,900/year in Anchorage, $11,400/year in Santa Rosa.

How do Anchorage and Santa Rosa private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Anchorage averages $11,900/year ($450 below average). Santa Rosa averages $17,600/year ($5,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Anchorage vs Santa Rosa

Anchorage averages $5,700/year less for private school (48% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $74,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Anchorage is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,900/year vs $17,600/year in Santa Rosa. Religious schools run $7,900/year on the low end.

Anchorage

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Lower cost

Santa Rosa

$17,600

avg tuition/year

$5,250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Anchorage	Santa Rosa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,900/yr	$17,600/yr	-$5,700
Religious Schools	$7,900/yr	$11,400/yr	-$3,500
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$34,200/yr	-$12,700
Elementary (K-5)	$10,100/yr	$15,000/yr	-$4,900
Middle School (6-8)	$11,900/yr	$17,600/yr	-$5,700
High School (9-12)	$14,300/yr	$21,100/yr	-$6,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Anchorage

$154,700

Santa Rosa

$228,800

Choosing Anchorage saves $74,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $148,200.

Sample Schools

Anchorage

Pacific Northern Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $14,800/yr

Holy Rosary Academy (Anchorage)

Catholic · PK–8 · $9,600-$11,800/yr

Santa Rosa

Cardinal Newman High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,200/yr

Rincon Valley Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

Full Anchorage breakdown → Full Santa Rosa breakdown →

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About This Comparison

This comparison uses NCES Private School Universe Survey data, adjusted for metro-level cost-of-living differences. "Average tuition" blends religious schools (Catholic, Christian) and independent day/prep schools. Religious schools typically cost 60-70% less than independent schools in the same city.

Grade-level estimates (elementary, middle, high) are derived from the city average using national grade-level multipliers. High school tuition typically runs 15-25% above the city average; elementary runs 10-20% below.